I’ll admit it — it didn’t thrill me that the Munsters were coming back under the hand of Rob Zombie. A few years ago, NBC tried to modernize and “horrorize” the franchise under Bryan Fuller. The result, 1313 Mockingbird Lane, had potential but tried too hard to be more real. Fun enough, but it didn’t feel like the vision of someone who loved the original. I eat my thoughts. Rob Zombie seems to love it.
What little we know so far seems to look back at the past while knowing that Zombie is always hellbent for the future. Each actor makes their characters recognizable, but they have their own stamp. As Herman in 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Jerry O’Connell looked just like Jerry O’Connell, without a trace of Fred Gwynne’s mannerisms. It was a choice. But it’s a relief here to see Jeff Daniel Phillips in the make-up, accentuating the overconfident nervousness of the character. Daniel Roebuck has facial hair Al Lewis didn’t sport, and his own gravelly tone, but he’s obviously Grandpa. Sheri Moon Zombie gives us a 21st century Lily.
We also know the surviving original cast members all have roles, plus one terrific bonus: Sylvester McCoy gives voice to Igor. In the original series, that was just a flappy rubber bat, but with this… Zombie must have a bigger plan. As for being in color, revivals tried it, and this at least seems to be matching the colors of both the original pilot and the film spin-off Munsters Go Home. No word yet on the release date, but I’m hoping for a tasty Halloween treat to die for.
